Transfer means for registering wrappers and bands



March so, 1937, v A, w, KATH 2,075,291

'TRANSFER MEANS FOR REGISTERING WRAPPERS AND BANDS Filed March 1, 1934 4 Sheets-Shet 1 INVENTOR flZfrecZ/KAa. a M/ BY WWW W ATTORNEYS A. w. KATH March 30', 1937.

TRANSFER MEANS FOR REGISTERING WRAPPERS AND BANDS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 1, 1954 ATTORNEY/S March 30, 1937 A. w. KATH 2, TRANSFER MEANS FOR REGISTERING WRAPPERS AND BANDS Filed March 1, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYIS March 30,1937. A. w. kATH 015,291 TRANSFER MEANS FOR REGISTERING WRAPPERS A ND BANDS F'iledMarch 1, 193 4 4 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR xef eavk A at.

' m'rcmmsna Patented Mar. 30, 1937 FATE 1" OFFICE TRANSFER. MEANS FOR REGISTERING WRAPPERS AND BANDS Alfred W. Kath, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Arthur Colton Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application March 1, 1934, Serial No. 713,587

11 Claims.

The invention relates to machines for banding and wrapping cigars of that type in which the wrapper and the band are first placed in proper registration with each other and the cigar, and are then simultaneously engaged with the wrapping mechanism. With machines of this type it is necessary to provide First, mechanism for forming the wrapper including means for cutting off the wrapper from a continuous strip and varying the length to correspond to the particular cigar to be wrapped;

Second, means for feeding the bands from a stack and delivering one band in proper registration with each wrapper;

Third, means for feeding the cigars so as to deliver the same successively to the wrapping mechanism;

Fourth, means for properly registering the wrapper and band with the cigar to be wrapped, and.

Fifth, wrapping mechanism for simultaneously wrapping the wrapper and band about the cigar.

It has been found difficult to arrange these several mechanisms in, the machine so as not to interfere with each other, and therefore it is desirable to separate the same. This, however, necessitates transfer mechanisms by the operation of which the several elements of the final product are taken from their different locations and delivered in proper registration with each other. Thus the band must be transferred into registration with the Wrapper, the wrapper and band transferred. into registration with the cigar, and cigar, band and wrappertransferred into registration with the wrapping mechanism.

The separate transfer of the wrapper and of the band may be easily accomplished by the use of suction heads. When, however, the band and wrapper are placed in registrationfland must together be transferred into registration with the cigar, the problem is more difiicult. This is for the reason that if the suction head contacts with the wrapper it is cut off from contact with the band so that there is no certainty that the latter will be carried with the former. This difiiculty I have overcome by a peculiar construction of transfer mechanism which forms the subject matter of the present application for patent, as more fully hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a similar view with some of the mechanism removed and showing parts in the different positions of adjustment;

Fig. 3 is a cross section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the transfer carrier shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a section on line 6-43 of Fig. 7.

Fig. '7 is a plan view partly in horizontal section showing the transfer carrier and resilient guiding means for the cigar;

Fig. 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is an end elevation viewed from the right, Figs. 7 and 8; v

Fig. 10 is a section on line lll-|B'Fig. 7.

The construction of the cigar wrapping mechanism is not shown, but Figs. 1 and 2 show the for engagement with the wrapping mechanism.

As shown in Fig. 2, a row of cigars A is intermittently advanced in the direction indicated by the arrow to successively bring the foremost cigar of the row beneath a bifurcated member 3.. This member is intermittently reciprocated between the position shown respectively in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, and as will be hereinafter described, carries with it a cigar, a wrapper and a band to a posi-.

tion for engagement with the wrapping mechanism (not shown). The wrapper is formed from a strip of suitable material such as Cellophane, which is delivered from a supply roll C through the intermittent operation of feed rolls D to a position parallel. to and at one side of the member B. The forward end of the strip is engaged by a suction head E connecting with the member B by a laterally projecting arm F and which travels with said member between the positions respectively shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Intermediate these two positions there is arranged a. table G which has its upper face normally at the level of the upper faces B and E but during movement of said members this table is lowered so as to avoid interference therewith. H is a holder for a stack of bands arranged in inclined position.

pressed against the lower end of the holder H to engage the lowermost band therein and in an-' other position extends horizontally in the plane.

of the upper faces of the members 13 and E.-

a Q opposite ends of the head'Q are needles Q, Q

which when the head is'placed against the table 7 G thewrapper strip is fed over the table and band by the rotation of feed rolls D and forward To assemble the band, wrapper and cigar in proper registration, the foremost cigar of the row A is lifted by an elevator J into the space between the furcations of the member B where it is clamped by resilient spaced flanges K K.

The band is transferred from the suction head I.

to the table G which latter is also provided with a suction head and after the lowering of the table movement of the suction head E. While in this position the table G is raised to contact the band with the under side of the wrapper and at the same time shears L are operated to sever the wrapper from the strip. Both wrapper and band are then transferred to the top of the member l3 to which they are held by suction.-

For effecting the transfer of the band from the suction head I to the table G and also for transferring both band and wrapper from the table G to the member B, I have provided an oscillatory carrier M. This as shown in Fig. 4 is connected G and suction head E and in full position registers with the member B. The suction head P is adapted for receiving wrappers of different lengths corresponding to different lengths of cigars to be wrapped and to this end is formed of two L-shaped members P, P which together form a rectangle. Rows of suction ports P are arranged along these L-shaped members and together serve to hold the wrapper thereto.

members P, P are adjustable transversely of the.

The

member M to enlarge or diminish the length of the suction head being slidable in grooves therein and are secured in adjusted position by clamps P Thus when properly adjusted the suction head P will engage the wrapper on'the table G and suction head E and. after severing from the strip by operation of the shears L will transfer the wrapper tothe member B to which it is held by suction ports B; I

. As thus far described the member M functions to transfer the band from the suction head I to the table G and to transfer the wrapper from the table G and suction head E to the member B. This would not, however, transfer the band with the wrapper inasmuch as the wrapper would close the ports of the suction head P so as to render them ineffective for lifting the band. I have therefore provided auxiliary means on the member M which willfcarry the band as well as the wrapper into engagement with the member B, the construction being asfollowsz' Q is a head secured to the member M intermediate the members P, P which latter are re-' cessed or cutaway at P to receive said head. At

G with, the wrapper andband lying thereon will penetrate both wrapper and band.' Thus when 1 the member Mis lifted from the table G, the

needles Q, Q will carry the band with the wrapper to deposit both upon the member B, where both will be held by the suction ports B, B

* From the description above it will be understood that in each cycle of operation a cigar will be lifted by the elevator J into engagement with and a wrapper and a band will be transferred from the table G and suction head E to the member B into a position'for proper registration with the cigar.. All of these, cigar, band and wrapper. will then be transferred bythe reciprocation of a the member B to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2, and in dotted lines, Fig. 7, where'an elevator R will remove them from the member B into, engagement with thewrapping mechanism (not shown). The various parts 01 this mechanism are properly timed with each other, and

with the wrapping mechanism by suitable connections (not shown). However,'as indicated in Fig. 4, the raising and lowering of the table G is controlled by a cam S, lever S and lifting rod S The crank arms N are intermittently swung through a half revolution by the operation of gear Wheels "1, gear segments T, rockshaft T rock arm T and other mechanism (not shown). The member B is reciprocated by a link N and. lever N and the rockable suction head I is actuated by a gear segment V, rack bar V and eccentric V To permit theneedles Q, Q to penetrate the wrapper and band while supported on the table G, the latter is providedwith recesses G which register with said needles and provide clearance therefor. As it is necessary to adjust the position of band relative to the wrapper for use onci'gars of different lengths, these recesses G are preferably in the form of slots extending transverse 1y of the table G so that in any position of ad-f justment of the head Q clearance is'provided for. the needles. The member B is also cut away as indicated at B to provide clearance for the projecting portions of the. needles when the wrapper and band are deposited on said member. It will be understood that the suction to the various suction heads is controlled by suitable means (not shown) so that suctionisrelieved from one head prior to the transfer therefrom of the wrapper or band by another head.

. The member B which forms the carrier for wrapper, band and cigar is preferably of the following construction: The cigars in the row A are fed into registration with thev member B by achain feed A and the foremost cigar is arrested in the position of registration by a stop K depending from the resilient flange K. The position of this stop may be adjusted forcigars of different diameter so as to arrest the foremost cigar in the central plane of thebifurcated member B. This adjustment means I comprises a flange K which is slotted and secured by a clamping bolt K passing through said slot. The resilient flange K is carried by a member K which passes over the cigars in the row and is then return bent and is adjustably secured in position by a clamping screw K. This member K in conjunction with a hinged table K" below the cigars and which is intermittently raised, forms a clamp for holding all of the cigars in the row from further advancement during the interval in which the foremost cigaris raised by'the elevator J. The member B is slidable on guide rods B V and as before stated, is actuated by a reciprocating lever N and link N Between the furcations of this member B are the resilient flanges K and K which extend parallel to the guide rods 3 beyond the position of the elevator B, being attached at their outer ends'to rock arms W and W pivoted on pins W and having bell crank,

arms W connected to each other by a pin W on the oneengaging a slotted bearing on the other. A spring W places a resilient tension on these arms to move the strips K and K towards each other. X is a bearing for engaging the end of the cigar having a shank X which is adjustably secured in a depending lug X on the member B arranged between the resilient strips K and K. The arrangement is such that when the foremost cigar of the row A is raised by the elevator J it will pass between the resilient strips K and K which are so adjusted as to receive therebetween a cigar of the series which is largest in diameter. In other words, cigars intended to be of the same size will vary more or less in diameter and therefore the strips K and K are adjusted wide enough apart to receive the largest variation. While still supported by the elevator J the member B is moved by the lever N and link N and the bearing X engaging the end of the cigar will move it longitudinally between these resilient strips. The latter are bent inward towards each other as indicated at K so that a cigar of minimum diameter will come in contact with the two stops which will hold it in position centrally of the bifurcated member B during movement into registration with the wrapping mechanism. For cigars larger in diameter than the minimum the strips K and K will be pressed apart, this being permitted by the rockable levers W, W, the bell crank arms W and the spring W Thus the construction is such that cigars of any diameter can be transferred by the carrier B and will be held by the strips K and K centrally between the furcations of this carrier so as to be centralized with the wrapper and band.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a cigar wrapping machine, the combination of a plurality of mechanisms for respectively delivering individually at separate locations a cigar, a wrapper and a band, means for transferring a a band from its delivered position into a position for registration with the wrapper in its delivered position, means for transferring the registered band and wrapper laterally thereof and delivering the same unattached to each other in registration with the cigar in its delivered position, and means for transferring the registered cigar, wrapper and band in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cigar into registration with the wrapping mechanism.

2. In a cigar wrapping machine, the combination of a plurality of mechanisms for respectively delivering individually at separate locations at cigar, a wrapper and a band, a reciprocating transfer carrier into engagement with which said cigar is delivered and which reciprocates in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said cigar, means for transferring a band from its delivered position into a position for registration with a wrapper in its delivered position, means for transr ferring the registered band and wrapper laterally thereof and delivering the same unattached to each other to said transfer carrier in registration with the cigar in engagement therewith, means on said transfer carrier for retaining said cigar, band and wrapper in registration during the reciprocating movement of the carrier, and means for disengaging said cigar, band and wrapper from said carrier to deliver the same to the wrapping mechanism.

3. In a cigar wrapping machine," the combination of a plurality of mechanisms for respectively delivering individually at separate locations a cigar, a wrapper and a band, a reciprocating transfer carrier bifurcated to receive the delivered cigar between the furcations thereof, means for transferring a band from the delivered position into a position for registration with the wrapper in its delivered position, means for transferring the registered band and wrapper laterally thereof and delivering the same unattached to each other on top of said transfer carrier in registration with the cigar therein, the furcations of said carrier being provided with suction ports for retaining the wrapper and band in engagement therewith during reciprocation of the carrier, and an elevator located at the opposite end of movement of said carrier for disengaging said cigar therefrom and carrying with it the band and wrapper to deliver the same to the wrapping mechanism.

4. In a cigar wrapping machine, the combination of a plurality of mechanisms for respectively delivering individually in separate locations a cigar, a wrapper and a band, means for transferring a band from its delivered position into a position for registration with the wrapper in its delivered position, a table for receiving the band from said transfer means and for depressing the same out of the path of the wrapper during the delivery thereof, a suction head for engaging the wrapper above the band supported on said table and for transferring the same into registration with the cigar in its delivered position and one or more needles on said suction head for penetrating both wrapper and band where-by both are carried together and are delivered unattached to each other in registration with the cigar.

5. In a cigar wrapping machine, the combination of a plurality of mechanisms for respectively delivering individually in separate locations a cigar, a wrapper and a band, a bifur cated reciprocating carrier located to receive between the furcations thereof the cigar in its delivered position, means for transferring a band from its delivered position into a position for registration with the wrapper in its delivered position, a table on which said band is received, means for depressing said table during delivery of the wrapper thereabove and for then rais ing it to press the band against the wrapper, a suction head for engaging the wrapper above said band while supported on said table and for transferring and depositing the same on said reciprocating carrier in registration with the cigar therein, and one or more needles on said suction head for penetrating both the wrapper and the band while on said table and adapted tocarry the latter with the former into engagement with said reciprocating carrier, suction means in the furcations of said carrier for retaining the band and wrapper thereon during disengagement of said suction head and needles therefrom and during movement of said carrier, and means lo cated at the opposite end of movement of said reciprocating carrier for disengaging the cigar, band and wrapper therefrom and for delivering the same to the wrapping mechanism.

6. In a cigar wrapping mechanism, the combination of a plurality of mechanisms for respectively delivering individually in separate locations a cigar, a wrapper and a band, a reciprocating carrier for transferring a band from its delivered position into a position for registra tion with a wrapper in its delivered position and for simultaneously transferring a wrapper from ill 7 under side of said wrapper and one or more needles on said transfer carrier for penetrating both the wrapper and band while supported on said table and for retainingboth in registration during transfer and delivery in registration with said cigar.

7. In a cigar wrapping. machine, a transfer carrier for a cigar, a wrapper and a band held nation with means for advancing a row of ciin properregistration with each other comprising a bifurcated member reciprocating in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cigar and having suction ports in the upper face of the furcations thereof, means for delivering a wrapper and a band to extend across above said furcations and to be held thereon by the suction of said ports, means for elevating a cigar between the furcations, resilient strips arranged between the fur-cations and extending along the path of reciprocation of said member, said strips being adjustably spaced to receive the elevated cigar therebetween, and a bearing on said bifurcated member depending therefrom between said resilient strips to engage the end of the cigar and to propel the same with said carrier while being guided by said strips.

8. In a cigar wrapping machine, the combigars, of a reciprocating carrier movable in a direction transverse to the advancement of said cigars and above the plane thereof, said carrier comprising a bifurcated member having suction ports in the upper face of the furcations thereof for holding thereon a Wrapper and a band, spaced resilient guide strips arranged between the furcations of said carrier. and extending.

throughout the path of movement thereof, said strips being adjustable to receive therebetween cigars of different thickness and one of said strips having a stop depending therefrom for arresting the foremost cigar of said advancing series in registration with the space between said strips, and means engaging the opposite ends of said strips for resiliently pressing the same towards each other toadjust to cigars varying in thickness and to hold the same central with respect tosaidcarrier, means for elevating the foremost cigar of said advancing series between said strips, and a bearing on said carrier depending therefrombetween said strips to engage the end of the cigar and topropel the same between said strips into a position for registration with the Wrapping mechanism.

9. In a cigar wrapping machine, the combination with means for advancing a row of cigars, of a reciprocating carrier movable in a direction transverse to the advancement of said cigars and in a plane above the same, said carrier comprising a bifurcated member and means for en gaging a wrapper and a band with the furcations thereof, a pair ofguide strips arranged between" the furcations of said carrier and extending throughout the length of travel thereof, one of said strips having a depending portion forming a stop for arresting the advancement of the cigars in said series, means for adjusting the ends of the strips adjacent to said row of cigars for spacing the same to receive therebetween a cigar of a predetermined thickness, an elevator for raising the foremost cigar of the series in between said strips, a bearing on said reciprocating carrier depending therefrom between said strips to engage the end o-fthe cigar and to propel it with the carrier'to a position of registration with the wrapping mechanism, a pair of rock arms for supporting the opposite ends of said strips, said rock arms being interconnected to compel equal movement thereof on opposite sides of the centerofsaid carrier, and resilient livered position into predetermined registration with a second element in its delivered position and fordelivering the two registered elements into predetermined registration with a third element in its delivered position, the band being positioned between the wrapper and the cigar in predetermined relation thereto.

11. In a cigar wrapping machinathe combination of a plurality of mechanisms for respec-;

tively delivering individually and at separate'locations a cigar, a wrapper and a band, means for transferring one of these elements from its delivered position into predetermined registration with a second element in its delivered position, means for transferring the two registered elements into predetermined registration with a a third element in its delivered position theband being positioned between the wrapper and cigar in predetermined relation thereto, and means for delivering the three, registered elements'to the Wrapping mechanism.

ALFRED W. KA'I'H. 

